Plants in genus puya
Puya dyckioides
Puya dyckioides is a hardy bromeliad native to high elevations in Argentina, known for its olive-green spiny leaves and fleshy pink flower spikes with aquamarine tips. It tolerates temperatures down to 7 degrees Fahrenheit and is a striking addition to rock gardens and xeriscaping.
Puya yakespala
Puya yakespala is a plant native to Argentina's Salta province, growing on dry rocky mountains at elevations of 8,750 feet. It features silver-leaf, spiny rosettes that form thick patches and produces 8-foot tall flower spikes with lime green sherbet flowers. This plant requires dry winters and is suitable for rock gardens.
Puya chilensis
Puya chilensis is an evergreen perennial endemic to central Chile, forming large rosettes of grey-green leaves with hooked spines. It produces green or yellow flowers on tall spikes and spreads by offsets. This slow-growing plant is potentially protocarnivorous and thrives in arid, sunny conditions.
Puya mirabilis
Puya mirabilis is a fast-growing terrestrial bromeliad native to Bolivia, forming large grassy clumps of rosettes. It can grow up to 1-1.5 meters tall with a tall, stiff inflorescence that blooms in autumn. The plant prefers well-drained soil and regular moisture, reducing watering in winter. Hardy to USDA Zones 9-11, it features tough, rosette-forming leaves with finely toothed edges and greenish-yellow flowers that twist as they fade.